Wait… Did Savannah Guthrie pay the ransom request? Is that why she released such a cryptic video this week??
If you somehow missed it, on Monday, the Today Show host released a new video to her Instagram, in which she seemingly spoke directly to her mother Nancy‘s abductor or someone with information about what happened. She begged for them to do “the right thing” and come forward with what they know, adding:
“We have done our part.”
Related: Sheriff WARNS About New Scam Connected To Nancy Guthrie Investigation
And it’s that wording that has some wondering if maybe she had paid the ransom? Speaking to TMZ on Tuesday, an FBI source said they knew the journalist was going to post the video ahead of time, noting this week marks the 6-month anniversary of the 84-year-old’s disappearance. An insider said:
“Anniversaries are the time to go back to the public and reignite interest [in a case].”
But as for that cryptic expression, the sources said they continue to work closely with the Guthrie family on the case and confirmed no money has been sent to the kidnappers. TMZ double checked the Bitcoin address they were made aware of thanks to the ransom notes they received, and aside from a small amount authorities previously sent to try to determine who owned the account, no additional funds have been added.
So, what could Savannah have been referencing? The insiders think she was hinting at the $1 million reward up for grabs — though that obviously wouldn’t go to the kidnappers. Instead, that was likely a broader reminder to anyone with information that there is an incentive to reach out. And it’s an important reminder since one FBI source sadly shared:
“We’ve made no progress here. We have no idea where Nancy is or who kidnapped her.”
Ugh. It’s hard to imagine we’re 6 months out and no step further in the investigation. Despite the lack of knowledge, though, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos remains positive. In an interview with NBC on Tuesday, he declared:
“We have so much DNA to sort through. We have so much in terms of video evidence to look at.”
Because of that, he added:
“I’m still positive that we’re gonna resolve this case.”
Gosh, we hope! Watch his interview:
While Savannah’s been on a break from the Today Show, on Tuesday, Erin McLaughlin, who reported on her new video message, speculated that “it’s not clear why Savannah decided to release this message now,” but that it “could be in response to a new line of communication.” Doesn’t seem like that’s necessarily the case based on this new insight, but you never know.
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[Image via NBC News/Today Show/YouTube & Savannah Guthrie/Instagram]